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This 300-foot monolith 17.4 miles east of Prineville is
actually the core of an ancient volcano. It towers above the Mill Creek
Wilderness area and is easily seen from the road and surrounding hiking
trails. Named for major Enoch Steen, an Indian fighter who explored the
area in 1860. Why early settler changed the spelling of the major's name is
unknown.
Source: Prineville Crook County Chamber of Commerce and
Central Oregonian
Photo By: Roger & Donna Aitkenhead |
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CITY OF PRINEVILLE RAILWAY
(more
info) |
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The railroad is owned by the City of
Prineville itself. It was built by the city many years ago in a way
typifies what we call "the pioneer spirit". The City of Prineville railway
itself is not typical of anything. In a report issued in 1985, the
Interstate Commerce Commission called it "the only example in the United
States of a railroad which was developed and has been wholly-owned and
operated over a substantial period of time by a municipality" Today, the
City of Prineville Railway is headquartered on North Main Street. Everyday,
the orange train rumbles out of Prineville, crisscrossing Ochoco
Creek and Crooked River, under the long, flat rimrocks, past the ranches
and farms, to Prineville Junctions, where cars will be put on Burlington
Northern and Union Pacific tracks.
Source: Crooked County fact Book 1999, Page 27-28
Photo Courtesy of the City of Prineville Railroad |
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| MEADOW LAKES GOLF COURSE
(more
info) |
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Meadows Lakes: Set on the beautiful desert highlands of
sunny Prineville, amidst sparkling blue ponds, rock-rimmed buttes and green
meadows. Meadow Lakes features a champion course, a beautiful clubhouse and
friendly staff eager to make your round of golf an extraordinary
experience. Meadow Lakes has been featured in The USGA Golf Journal and is
the first-ever recipient the Golf Digest's National Environmental Leader
Award. For tee times or a brochure, please call 800-577-2797.
Photo and text from COVO magazine "Central Oregon at the
heart of it all" |
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| PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR
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info) |
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Prineville Reservoir renowned for it's bass
fishing, the 12-mile-long reservoir also is a watery home for trout and
catfish. A fish cleaning building is provided along with a boat ramp. A
swimming area is marked with buoys and served by a nearby bathhouse. Water
skiing is also popular. The entire reservoir was created by the
construction of Bowman Dam - a 1,100 foot earth-and-rock construction.
Please call 447-4363 for Information.
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| In addition to superb trout fishing,
Prineville Reservoir offers boating, water-skiing, camping, hiking and
swimming as well as conventional retail and restaurant facilities. |
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| Bandit Springs Nordic ski Area
(more
info) |
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9.6 miles of cross-country ski trails
ranging from easy to very difficult. Shelter and restroom at the trail head
maintained by the US Forest Service. Call 416-6500 for more information. |
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| Big Summit Prairie
(more
info) |
| The Big Summit comes alive with color April through August
of each year, as the wildflowers burst into bloom. An illustrated, color
brochure produced by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management is
available at the Chamber of Commerce to help make identification easier. |
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| Brennan Palisades |
| These unique geological formations are nothing short of
spectacular. Brennan Palisades are 14.4 miles north and east of Prineville
on the way to Steins Pillar. The Prineville Reservoir Palisades can be seen
from the road traveling south on state Highway 27 toward Bowman Dam |
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| Crooked River
(more
info) |
| Some of the best fly-fishing in Oregon is available 17
miles south of Prineville on the Crooked River. In addition, hiking, biking
and camping are popular along the river. Call 447-6247 for information
about fishing conditions. |
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| Crooked River
National Grasslands (more
info) |
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Professional & amateur photographers alike will
enjoy the panoramic views afforded in the grasslands. Wildlife abound,
including songbirds, waterfowl, aquatic mammals, deer, antelope and
coyotes. For Info. Call 447-9640. |
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| Mill Creek Wilderness
(more
info) |
| Great hiking and mountain biking place in summer, 20 miles
northeast of Prineville. |
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| Ochoco Lake |
| Some of the best trout fishing in Oregon is available just
seven miles east of Prineville at Ochoco Lake. Tent and trailer sites and a
boat launch are both available at the Ochoco Lake Campground. Call 447-1209
for info. |
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| Rimrock
Springs Wildlife Viewing Area (more
info) |
| 15 Miles northwest of Prineville on the Madras Highway,
where native wildlife, including deer, antelope and a variety of waterfowl
can be seen from a viewing platform, especially in the early morning and
late evening. |
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| Smith Rocks
(more
info) |
| The best rock climbing in Central Oregon can be found 18
miles from Prineville. Leaving Prineville westbound, turn right past the
bridge over Crooked River and travel O’Neal Highway until you reach Smith
Rocks State Park. |
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| Wildland Fire Fighters Monument
(more
info) |
| In July 1994, a disastrous forest fire at
Storm King Mountain near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, took the lives of
members of Prineville’s elite Hotshot firefighting crew. Families of the
fallen subsequently commissioned a monument in Prineville’s Ochoco Creek
Park remembering their loved ones and recognizing the unsung heroism of
wildland firefighters everywhere. The Sculptor is David Nelson of Colorado. |
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Source: Crook County
Chamber of Commerce&Central Oregonian |
